BILL NO. 498ORDINANCE NO. 477
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING FALSE ALARMS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BELLA VILLA, MISSOURI AS FOLLOWS:
FALSE ALARMS
A. Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:
SYSTEM: Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed to be actuated manually or automatically upon the detection of an unauthorized entry, intrusion or other emergency in or on any building, structure, facility or premises through the emission of a sound or transmission of a signal or message.
USER: A person who uses a system to protect any building, structure, facility or premises.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE: An alarm system that automatically dials a specific telephone number and transmits an emergency message by a recording over regular telephone lines when actuated.
DIRECT SIGNAL SYSTEM: An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line that is directly connected to the Police Department and has an outlet at the Police Department which emits a sound or transmits a signal or both when activated.
FALSE ALARM: Any activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act to which the City Police Department responds, including activation caused by the malfunction of the alarm system; except that the following shall not be considered false alarms:
1.When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by themalfunction of the indicator at the Police Department;
2.When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by damage,testing or repair of telephone equipment or lines by the telephone company, provided that suchincidents are promptly reported to the telephone company;
3.When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or illegal entry, ofwhich there is visible evidence;
4.When an alarm is followed by a call to the Police Department canceling the alarmby giving proper information, prior to the arrival of the Police Department at the source of thealarm user;
5.When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by amalfunction of electrical power beyond the control of the alarm user.
B.Charges for False Alarms.
1.All false alarms to which the Police Department responds shall result in the followingcharges to the alarm user:
a.A warning for the first (1st) false alarm in any calendar year;
b.A twenty five dollar ($25.00) service charge for any other false alarm in anycalendar year.
2.Upon determination by the Police Department that a false alarm has occurred, thePolice Department shall send a notice to the alarm user notifying the alarm user of thedetermination and directing payment within ten (10) days of any service charge that may be due.
3.The Police Department shall cancel any notice or service charge upon satisfactoryproof by the alarm user that a particular alarm falls within the exceptions enumerated inSubsection (A) hereof.
4.Refusal to pay any such service charge within ten (10) days of such notice shallconstitute a violation of this Section.
C.Automatic Dialing of Police Department Number.No person shall install or use anautomatic dialing device which is programmed to dial the Police Department's telephonenumber. Within ninety (90) days from April 18, 1980, all automatic dialing devices programmedto dial the Police Department's telephone number shall be reprogrammed to dial any consentingperson who may relay the emergency message to the Police Department by live voice. The userof such device shall be responsible for having his/her system reprogrammed within the ninety (90) day time period.
D.Fifteen Minute Timer Required.No person shall install or use an audible alarm which isequipped with an exterior sound-producing device such as a gong, buzzer, siren, bell or hornunless the same shall be equipped with a fifteen (15) minute timer.
E.License For Installation Required.Any person who installs, maintains, sells, leases,services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system or causes the same to besold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed in or on anybuilding, structure, facility or premises shall be properly licensed under County ordinances asthey pertain to the licensing and regulation for the installation of and use of St. Louis County.
Registration.Any user shall register such alarm system with the Police Department of the City within one (1) week after installation. No charge for any false alarm shall be made during the first (1st) two (2) weeks after the registration of the
- Penalty for Violation of Section.Any person who violates or causes a violation of any provision of this Section shall be deemed guilty of an ordinance violation.
This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the date of its passage and approval.
PASSED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BELLA VILLA, MISSOURI THIS23RDDAY OF JUNE. 2011.
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Presiding Officer
MAYOR YATES
Attest
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Betty Rizos, City Clerk
APPROVED THIS23RD DAY OF JUNE, 2011.